Where to go for Spring Break in Orange County

Spring break is coming up and it’s a great time to plan a daycation! If you’re wondering where to go for spring break in Orange County, I’ve got the perfect spot! Nothing says spring break like the beach, right? Especially if you live in Southern California. But I have to let you in on a little secret. I don’t love the beach. Don’t get me wrong, a tropical vacation is my favorite. But I think this disdain for the beach stems from how we used to visit as a child. I grew up in Anaheim, about 45 minutes from the beach. So when you went to the beach, you were there ALL DAY LONG. You brought food, drinks, chairs, toys, towels, radios, umbrellas, magazines. Plus, I’ve always been super high maintenance so I needed a hair brush, sunscreen, lip gloss, eye drops, etc. And parking wasn’t close. So you had to carry all this stuff with you for miles. Sure we had a nice time. But then we had to pack it all up and walk all the way back to the car again. It was a lot. I know that sounds really whine-y. Don’t even get me started about the sand getting everywhere… So if you’re looking for a a great beach spot, that you can enjoy for the day, I’ll let you in on a little secret: the Pacific Edge Hotel beachfront bungalows. It’s where you NEED to go for spring break. Trust me. A few summers ago, the boys and I got invited to hang out at the bungalows for the day. IT WAS AMAZING! And I recently got to check out the newly refreshed Gorjana bungalow at a really fun night time event. While the bungalows don’t come cheap, but in this mom’s opinion, they are totally worth the price. Each bungalow is right on the water (sitting just above the gorgeous beach – with attendants!) and comes with it’s own deck space. The bungalows are your own personal living room, with kitchenette, and include a bathroom(with shower). It’s genius! And quite legitimately the only way I ever want to go to the beach in Orange County again. And the Pacific Edge Hotel, a Joie de Vivre Hotel, is the only place you can find these! While the old Gorjana bungalow was really well designed, this new refresh makes it feel light and airy with cool geodes and feminine textures and finishes. As a TV lover it makes me really happy that most, if not all, of the bungalows have one. When you rent a bungalow, you have access to it from 11 am – 8 pm. That leaves plenty of time to play in the sand and also time to get out of the sun and watch some shows. Especially if you bring the kids, the TV is a great way to get them to come inside to rest a bit. This fun hanging chair is such a cool addition to the room and you and the kids will be fighting over who gets to sit here first. Do not plan on bringing any outside food or drink as just like with most hotel spaces, you must use their menu. Each bungalow is served by a private server who can take care of anything that you could possibly need. The food and drinks come from The Deck, located just across the patio from the bungalows. The wine list is fantastic, their cocktails are delicious and the food never disappoints. The charcuterie board is my favorite of any charcuterie board. Anywhere. Plus they have kid friendly items as well. There’s something for everyone.This spectacular tile wall, in the kitchen, is sure to wind up on your Instagram. What I think is so cool about the bungalows is that each one of the 5 stylish rentals is designed by a local company (Billabong, Fox, Sailor Jerry, and XS) and each have a totally different vibe! Each one is really well done but don’t feel so precious that you would be worrying about what your children are touching the whole time. That being said, don’t let your kids be jerks. I certainly wouldn’t let my kids run amok here. And you shouldn’t be a jerk either. As with any place you go, you still need to watch your kids. The beach attendants are there to make your mom life a little easier but not to baby sit your children. Not only do you have a server to bring your order, there is also a small fridge stocked with waters and sodas to make your stay super comfortable. It’s like hotel living, but without a bedroom. And if your kids are like mine, they want to drink each and every item from the mini fridge. I wonder what they would do if they showed up and the mini fridge was stocked with veggies…The bungalows have the most spectacular view. Ever. Each bungalow is designed to hold a maximum of 10 people. And while the air-conditioned inside seating areas are super comfortable for your group, the patio area features even more seating (including umbrellas when it’s super sunny).But the beach in front of the hotel is where you’ll want to spend most of your time, anyway. Since the last event I attended was at a night, right after a big rain, the beach was deserted. But come spring break, this beach will be filled with beach chairs and umbrellas (with attendants to help you get them set up). PLUS they have sand and water toys for the kids to use. Your lunch can be delivered right to your beach chair, if you wish. It’s pure magic.The bungalows are not only the perfect place for your beach daycation, but they are great for hosting girlfriend (or mom) get togethers. The Cocktails and Crowns event I attended was so much fun! We sipped drinks while making our very own flower crowns with the help of Jenna O’Brien of Craft Blooms. Flower crowns are a lot more work than they look! But strangely, the day after the event, all I wanted to do was make another one! Thank you for teaching me how, Jenna!!! Having a clean, gorgeously designed bathroom just steps from the beach is pure luxury. And being able to wash all that sand off before you get in to your car to head home is even better. I used to dread going to the bathroom on our beach excursions as a kid. And then, when you have a kid and have to take them in to those grody bathrooms, it makes you not want to go to the beach. Having your own bathroom is everything! Especially when you mom up and start wearing a one piece. It’s not super bathroom friendly so having a private bathroom is key. How in to me is this baby, you guys? This baby was 1 month old and fit right in at the bungalows.

If you’re looking for where to go for Spring Break in Orange County, the bungalows at Pacific Edge Hotel are the place for you and your family. So let’s break it down:

• There is a room fee to use the space (11 am – 8 pm) plus a food and beverage minimum to meet (both of which differ depending on the day of the week).

• The bungalows are a fantastic place to take the kids for a super cool, low-stress beach experience (my favorite kind of family experience!).

• Each bungalow holds a maximum of 10 guests but also works for just one family. (If your family isn’t huge, I suggest you split the cost with another family or leave the dads at work and grab another mom and kid to split it with.)

• Valet parking means that you can tote all the things you need for the beach, and still manage the kids with ease. And because the beach attendants have a ton of stuff for you and the kids to use, you don’t need to lug everything you own with you.

They have an amazing spring package that is fun for the whole family:

Let Pacific Edge Hotel, aJoie de Vivre Hotel, treat your littles to a seaside adventure that includes complimentary breakfast for kids under 12, a sweet treat from the iconic Candy Baron, and a sand castle mansion kit for hours of fun along the coast. Plus, mom and dad are welcomed to their beachfront escape with complimentary valet parking and a welcome cocktail for each adult. (The California Cooler is spicy and delicious – FYI!)

And if you’re looking for even more of an escape, consider adding on a night’s stay at the hotel. Pacific Edge is an oceanfront retreat set on 300 feet of private beach property in downtown Laguna Beach and is part of the Joie De Vivre boutique hotel brand.

If you’ve been looking for where to go for Spring Break in Orange County, this is it. Who’s ready to plan their daycation???

I was invited to a really fun event to preview the newly refreshed Gorjana bungalow and given delicious food and wine. I even took some of the charcuterie platter home with me. How’s THAT for disclosure.

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About Sharon Garofalow

Sharon lives in Southern California with her adorable family. She loves to share ideas to make mom life easier and encourage busy gals to make time for themselves too! Sharon’s “me” time often includes watching Hallmark Channel movies, sipping sauvignon blanc, trying not to eat Salt and Pepper potato chips, and planning girlfriend getaways.

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Based in Southern California, I am the mom to two amazing little boys and married to the raddest man in all the land. Cupcakes and Cutlery is your resource for simple solutions to help you be an awesome wife and mother and not lose yourself in the process. Email me at cupcakesandcutlery@gmail.com! Read More

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